Curriculum Projects

Eva Wilgan

The New Jersey Council for the Humanities Teacher Institute 2013
Upstream-Downstream: Issues in American History and Culture


Jennifer Ansbach, Master Teacher
Curriculum Project


By
Eva Wilgan
Rev. Brown School, Sparta, N.J.
ewilgan@gmail.com


As the curriculum project I would like to explore the origins, as well as the flow of the Amazon River with concentration on the countries that benefit from the river.
Some of the essential questions are:
1. What does the Amazon River provide for people who live in its vicinity?
2. How do industries located upstream influence less industrial places downstream?
3. Why should South American countries work together to protect the Amazon River?
4. Should countries that are not located in South America be concern about the Amazon?


  • This project would be designed for a 4th grade.
  • Anticipated time frame of this unit will be 3 weeks.
  • Strategies to be employed:
a. Introduce a lesson on Geography of South America
b. Present information about South America
c. Show National Geographic’s videos about South America
d. Create a game encompassing information presented using website: www.superteacher.com

As an assessment tool students will have to work in groups of 2 or 3 and create a “Passport” to a South American country including information presented but not excluding other sources.




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